Molecular characterization of Jurkat cells persistently infected with vaccinia virus mutant Vp811

Previous reports from this laboratory demonstrated that persistent infections could be established in Jurkat cells with wild-type vaccinia virus (Jvac). The infected cells elicit increased expression of IL-2, IL-2Rα and IL-6 but not of IL-1β nor of interferon-γ. The persistently infected cells are also capable to transactivate the LTR gene of HIV-1 virus (HIV-1LTR). In addition, NFκβ and NFAT are found activated in Jvac. To find out whether the gene(s) responsible for establishment, maintenance and molecular characteristics of persistently infected cells are located in the terminal ends of the molecule, Jurkat cells were infected with a deletion mutant Vp811 that lacks 32.7 and 14.9 kb at the left and right terminal, respectively. The results indicate that the deletion mutant is capable of establishing persistent infections. The persistently infected cells show a similar pattern of expression to that observed in Jvac cells. It is concluded that the viral gene(s) involved in persistence and molecular cellular changes is (are) present in the mutant.